Sapna Foundation partners with Wired2Perform to create the first-ever behavioral analytics-based platform for workforce development and workforce mobility.
Sapna Foundation, a new Florida based not-for-profit organization, has created a new way to help workers hit hard by layoffs over the past few months – many of whom are struggling to transition into a job market radically altered by COVID-19.
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Sapna has partnered with Wired2Perform to utilize its talent growth platform to empower job seekers with a completely new way to assess their skills, interests, talents,, and aspirations by utilizing behavioral science and advanced analytics. Employers can then use that information to find candidates who are an ideal fit based on a genuine, holistic profile of the person – rather than just a resumé, the contents of which might not easily translate to new roles and opportunities.
All services provided by Sapna Foundation to job seekers are completely free. The initial launch is focusing on serving four segments of the workforce:
1. Unemployed individuals
2. Previously incarcerated individuals
3. People transitioning from military careers to the private sector
4. Students and recent graduates from both universities and trade schools
Along with Wired2Perform, the founding partners also include “the link” an innovation space with the theme of learn-play-think-do, Kuza Biashara, a Kenya based social enterprise building workforce resilience, the St. Johns County (Florida) Chamber of Commerce and Rogers Towers, P.A. law firm.
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“As the longest serving president in University of North Florida history, as well as someone who has experienced four career changes, I recognize the value that behavioral science and analytics have on workforce mobility,” said John Delaney, ex-Mayor of Jacksonville, ex-President of University of North Florida and Sapna Foundation board member. “Through Sapna Foundation, the next generation of talent will be able to align their most authentic selves with their career pursuits. I’m proud to serve on the board of Sapna Foundation to help those who have been affected by the myriad of factors in 2020 and beyond.”
“The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is enthusiastic about this new and innovative workforce development platform,” said Isabelle Renault, President and CEO, St. Johns County Chamber. “More businesses are seeking the competitive advantages of locating here and Sapna Foundation is one more strong way to connect with and build a skilled workforce that is happier and more productive by putting the right people in the right positions.”
COVID-19 has devastated retail, hospitality, travel and tourism and other industries. In recent weeks, global employers like MGM Resorts International (18,000), Boeing (19,000), American Airlines (19,000) and Coca Cola (4,000) have announced layoffs, and others like discount department store chain Stein Mart will be laying off thousands of workers as the company closes 280 stores after filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
“Someone who lost a job in retail, travel or hospitality needs to realize they have skills and abilities that translate to other fields or roles, and we’ve created a tool that helps them identify exactly what those are and how they can benefit a new employer,” said Sapna’s founder Raghu Misra, who is also the founder and CEO of Wired2Perform.
Misra had a long term goal of starting a foundation aimed at alleviating poverty, but was inspired to change the focus when Jacksonville-based Stein Mart announced it would be closing stores and laying off its entire workforce.
“I woke up the next night asking myself ‘What are you waiting for?’”, said Misra. “COVID-19 is forcing millions of people out of their jobs and forcing them into new careers. We can help them identify their skills and talents, showcase them in ways that no resumé can, so they can get back into the workforce and do what they would be good at.”
Misra chose the name Sapna for the foundation because it means dream in Hindi.
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